HERSHEY STYMIES SENATORS 3-2

March 28, 2010

HERSHEY STYMIES SENATORS 3-2 Bears Find Third Home Win in as many Nights to Tie Club Record By Jess Mikula Despite surrendering the game’s first goal for the second straight night, the BEARS rallied to earn a 3-2 win over the Binghamton Senators. Before a crowd 10,777 strong, HERSHEY earned its 32nd home win of the season to tie the franchise record. Paul Baier struck for the Senators on an early power play chance, his shot from the low slot eluding a screened Braden Holtby at 2:47. Geoff Kinrade and Yannick Tifu added the assists. The BEARS’ offense failed to materialize in the first, and the Chocolate and White trailed by one after 20 minutes. Alexandre Giroux scored the equalizer for HERSHEY, potting his 42nd goal of the season at 2:02, fed by Andrew Gordon and Keith Aucoin. Francois Bouchard found the go-ahead goal just 58 seconds later, firing from the right circle for his 19th of the year, assisted by Kyle Wilson and Ashton Rome. Captain Bryan Helmer blasted a shot from the point, which Jay Beagle deflected to give the BEARS a two-goal advantage at 5:07. Steve Pinizzotto tallied the secondary helper on Beagle’s 14th of the season. HERSHEY carried a 3-1 lead after two. The Senators clawed back within a goal in the third, as Jim O’Brien sent a wrister past Holtby at 3:28, with assists from Brandon Svendsen and Tifu. The BEARS held their one-goal advantage through the remainder of regulation to clinch the team’s 56th win of the seasonâ€"the 32nd on home ice. Holtby earned his 23rd win of the season in net, turning aside 22 of 24 shots. The HERSHEY power play was blanked on five chances, and the penalty kill denied Binghamton on three of four. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Jay Beagle (game-winning goal) 2. Alexandre Giroux (300th career goal) 3. Simon Ferguson (solid physical play) Notes: With the win, HERSHEY tied the franchise record for victories on home ice in a single season at 32 and broke the record for most points in a season with 115. Giroux’s goal marked his 300th career AHL goal. The BEARS will play a pair of road games this week, traveling to Syracuse on Wednesday and Rochester on Friday, before returning home next weekend. HERSHEY will close out the home portion of the regular season with a 7:00 p.m. start against the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday and a 6:00 p.m. match-up on Sunday when the Norfolk Admirals come to town. Tickets for both games are available at the Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.